Springbok wing Bjorn Basson will be sidelined for six weeks after undergoing emergency surgery on Saturday.

According to the Blue Bulls website, Basson sustained a tear to his intestines in Saturday’s play-off match between the Bulls and the Crusaders.

Basson was subsequently operated on and news from the Bulls’ camp is that the winger will remain in hospital for five more days. It will be a further five days before he is fit enough to fly home to Pretoria.

It’s been confirmed that Basson will not return to the rugby field for at least six weeks. While the injury will have no impact on the Bulls’ Super Rugby campaign (Saturday’s defeat to the Crusaders knocked the Bulls out of the tournament), it will limit Basson’s involvement in the Rugby Championship.

The six week layoff means that Basson will miss the Boks’ first two Tests against Argentina.